yeah it might be time to move Kunitz to the 2nd line and bring Iginla to the first when Crosby returns. Hate breaking up that line but it's whats best for the team to have some balance and consistency.

I agree with the popular sentiment that Geno is not himself (I’ve always found that expression intriguing) these days and that he may be playing with an injury. He usually steps up his game when Sid is out and that has not happened this time around. That, in and of itself, is telling. I‘m hoping that the upcoming visit from his parents will work some magic and get him back on track. We need Geno the beast back in true form.

As an aside, The Jets gave Philly a shellacking this afternoon (4-1). Never let it be said they aren’t doing their level best to sink that miserable ship in the service of God, country and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

I don't really buy the injury excuse. If he's so injured that he can't even shoot I really don't see them playing him. Maybe in the playoffs, but not with about a month to go, the division essentially wrapped up, and at worst a #2 seed. They would be continuing to keep him out of the lineup to rehab his injury.

Henry Hank wrote:I don't really buy the injury excuse. If he's so injured that he can't even shoot I really don't see them playing him. Maybe in the playoffs, but not with about a month to go, the division essentially wrapped up, and at worst a #2 seed. They would be continuing to keep him out of the lineup to rehab his injury.

yea i dont buy it either. people automatically say someone is injured when they arent playing well. Now is the time to rest so if he is then he needs to sit. I think hes been in and out too much and just needs a few games to get his bearings back. lets hope he bounces back this week and scores some goals

I think Geno, like many athletes, is loathe to admit when he’s not feeling 100%. I don’t think he's necessarily suffering from something serious, but maybe something that is just enough to put him off his game. This is a guy who was fighting to get back into action after his concussion before it was prudent for him to do so. Since then, he has missed a significant number of games due to a shoulder injury, so I can see him not being entirely upfront with the trainers and medical staff lest he be sidelined again. But who really knows what is going on with the ever enigmatic Geno? Whatever it is, I hope it gets sorted out sooner rather than later. One thing I do know is that we need him in beast mode for the playoffs.

Why can't it just be that he's playing terrible right now? And that leads to disinterested play?

Don't always have to make excuses.

I personally only care about the performance on the ice. Couldn't care less if a player that makes millions of dollars might get his feelings hurt for being called out on his lackluster play and efforts.

penmyst wrote:Why can't it just be that he's playing terrible right now? And that leads to disinterested play?

Don't always have to make excuses.

I personally only care about the performance on the ice. Couldn't care less if a player that makes millions of dollars might get his feelings hurt for being called out on his lackluster play and efforts.

Exactly.

He's only been elite 1 year out of the last 4. There's no denying that. It's unacceptable.

penmyst wrote:Why can't it just be that he's playing terrible right now? And that leads to disinterested play?

Don't always have to make excuses.

I personally only care about the performance on the ice. Couldn't care less if a player that makes millions of dollars might get his feelings hurt for being called out on his lackluster play and efforts.

Yeah you're right, excuse making is almost as ridiculous as questioning his effort.

I'm not making excuses for the guy, but I have a hunch that part of his problem is/was playing half the year in the KHL. He was having a field day over there against second-rate talent, and I think he got comfortable/lazy/whatever and then, when he returned, he simply wasn't ready to pick his game back up. Throw in a concussion and a shoulder injury and... voila.

I, personally, believe he will get it together in time for the playoffs.

penmyst wrote:Why can't it just be that he's playing terrible right now? And that leads to disinterested play?

Don't always have to make excuses.

I personally only care about the performance on the ice. Couldn't care less if a player that makes millions of dollars might get his feelings hurt for being called out on his lackluster play and efforts.

It can be. Absolutely. It can also be that he’s nursing some underlying medical issue, or that he’s trying his best but is just snakebitten, or that something completely outside the scope of our limited view is going on that has him off his game. It may well be that many factors are contributing to his current sub-par (for him) play. The fact is, none of us has a hot clue as to what is really going on. People are simply speculating and offering their opinions.

Whatever the explanation is, it’s clear that for some people the suggestion that Geno may be nursing a nagging physical problem is tantamount to offering an excuse for his current slump, and falls into the category of letting him off the hook and defending him at all costs. I can’t speak for others, but that certainly is not where I’m coming from. I don’t think there’s a player on this team who frustrates me more than Geno does. There are times when his behaviour drives me to distraction and he deserves all the criticism he gets. In this particular case, however, I think he may not be feeling 100%, for whatever reason(s), and that this could be an explanation for his current slump. It has nothing to do with making excuses for him.

No denying, Geno is definitely a very good player, just can't see giving him more money than Sid come contract time. Hopefully he would sign for the same money as Sid, if not, I'd say thanks and goodbye.

offsides wrote:No denying, Geno is definitely a very good player, just can't see giving him more money than Sid come contract time. Hopefully he would sign for the same money as Sid, if not, I'd say thanks and goodbye.

people still don't get this?

THE CBA IS NOT THE SAME. SO EVEN IF HE WANTED THE EXACT SAME CONTRACT AS SID HE WOULD HAVE A HIGHER CAP HIT BY 1.2 MILLION